Wheat and meslin flour market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the wheat and meslin flour market in Hungary fluctuated between 705.3 thousand tons and 836.0 thousand tons from 2018 to 2024. After a gradual decline from 750.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 705.3 thousand tons in 2021, the market surged by 18.5% to 836.0 thousand tons in 2022, then contracted sharply in 2023 before stabilizing near 721 thousand tons in 2024.

In value terms, the market showed even greater volatility, rising from 215.7 million USD in 2018 to a peak of 345.9 million USD in 2022—a 60% increase—before declining to 271.4 million USD in 2024. The 2022 spike coincided with higher physical volumes and likely reflected elevated global grain prices, while the subsequent drop in value occurred despite relatively steady consumption volumes.

Hungary remained a net exporter of wheat and meslin flour throughout the period, with exports consistently exceeding imports. Domestic production varied, reaching a high of 950.1 thousand tons in 2022, which supported the temporary expansion of the market volume that year.

Production wheat and meslin flour in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Hungary's wheat and meslin flour production was valued at 291.9 million US dollars, representing a 13.8% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 14.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Hungary's wheat and meslin flour production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 845.3 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate decrease of 3.2% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production fell by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 890.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 0.7% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports wheat and meslin flour from Hungary

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Hungary's wheat and meslin flour exports reached 194.7 thousand tonnes, indicating a slight gain of 0.6% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 2.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 0.8%. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 216.1 thousand tonnes, with an 8.4% increase that year. In contrast, the minimum was in 2020 at 193.5 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Hungary's wheat and meslin flour exports in kind were primarily directed towards Romania and Slovakia. Together, these two markets accounted for 84.9% of total export flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Hungary's wheat and meslin flour export value stood at 67 451 thousand US dollars, marking a significant rise of 12.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, with a drop of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, two markets—Romania and Slovakia—played the leading roles in Hungary's wheat and meslin flour exports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 83.4% of total export flows, while the remainder was distributed among other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021

Imports wheat and meslin flour to Hungary

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Hungary's wheat and meslin flour imports increased in 2021. The import volume amounted to 54.7 thousand tonnes, marking a gain of 17.6% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 16.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.8%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 46.5 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 18.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia was the dominant market for Hungary's wheat and meslin flour imports in kind, accounting for 76.3% of total import flows. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year fall, Hungary's wheat and meslin flour import deliveries increased in 2021. Imports totalled 17 986 thousand US dollars, amounting to a sharp rise of 27.8% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 6.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 14 071 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 20.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the period from 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Slovakia, Austria, and Italy—together accounted for 86.3% of total wheat and meslin flour imports in value terms to Hungary.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021